198 Chapter 198 Meeting (1/2)
Stepping inside the familiar courtyard, Lin Xulian noticed that unlike the last time she was there, the place is almost bare. Except for the necessary furniture such as tables and chairs, the place has no decorative ornaments of sorts. Even the few painting she previously saw hanging on the walls are no longer there. Inside the few rooms there is only a wooden bed with only a thin blanket haphazardly thrown on top. In two years that she was gone, the place looked dilapidated.
Following her subordinate, Lin Xulian, with Gu Kei following closely behind, alighted the stairs towards the third floor. She remembered that the third floor is a wide vacant hall. Feng Jun Yi mentioned that it was the area where his master usually meditate and held their trainings. She can understand why Gu Rin chose that room as their meeting hall.
While walking, Gu Kei who is already accustomed to Lin Xulian's minute changes in expressions, can sense that there is something bugging her ever since they arrive at the vicinity of the courtyard. ”Is there something bothering you princess?”
Lin Xulian's eyebrows jumped hearing Gu Kei's question. She thought she hid her emotions perfectly, but surprisingly, Gu Kei was able to notice her real state of mind. ”Nothing serious. It's just… I've been to this place before. Emperor Feng brought me here once. I was just wondering how this place became like this in just two years. In the past, this courtyard was warm and homey with elegant furnishing. But it is almost bare now.” She answered solemnly. A hint of nostalgia can be heard from her words.
”Ah, I see.” Gu Kei plainly responded. It's not that she didn't care but she really doesn't have any idea how to comfort her obviously distressed mistress. Although she is older that Lin Xulian, she never had an experience in romance. This is something that greatly differentiate the women from Qiangdu than the other countries' women. Because they live longer, they start considering marriage in their mid-twenties to early thirties. Gu Kei in particular doesn't even have someone she likes yet so she can't empathize with her mistress.
The moment they stepped on the third floor, Gu Rin, Mo Jin and the rest of their subordinates who came from Qiangdu knelt in one knee and greeted Lin Xulian as princess. While the members of the Lin Mercenary Clan only bowed a little and cupped their fist then greeted her as boss. Xing Guang on the other hand warmly welcomed her calling her Lian'er. It is quite a spectacle seeing them doing it simultaneously.
Lin Xulian was used to these greetings during her days as the empress so she casually dismissed them like she used to. Looking around the room, as expected, it was almost empty except for the painting of a woman's back sitting on a huge rock while gazing on a lake. She remembered that it was drawn by Feng Jun Yi's master and the woman was the late empress Lan whom he loved deeply. Seeing it, Lin Xulian showed a small genuine smile.
Noticing Lin Xulian in daze, everyone in the room couldn't help but follow her line of sight. Seeing the crude painting that obviously showed that the artist wasn't a professional and only has a passable skill at least, most of them, except Gu Rin, is filled with confusion as to why Lin Xulian looked moved. On the other hand, Gu Rin had a different thought and smirked lightly. 'So, he isn't as perfect as I thought.'
Shifting her gaze from the painting, Lin Xulian then faced Gu Rin. ”I'm surprised you knew about this place.””Yes princess. I had the permission of the owner.” Gu Rin answered as if stating a report. Monotonous as usual.
”Eh? From the owner? But Emperor Feng is still unconscious. Are you referring to his master?” Lin Xulian asked in surprise.
”I didn't know if he is related to emperor Feng but I'm certain he is the owner. Probably we are referring to the same person, princess.” Gu Rin answered lightly. He doesn't find this information important after all.